8281 Japanese Language November 2005

CONTENTS


JAPANESE......................................................................................................................... 1
GCE Advanced Subsidiary Level .................................................................................................................. 1
Paper 8281/01 Speaking............................................................................................................................... 1
Paper 8281/02 Reading and Writing ............................................................................................................. 1
Paper 8281/03 Essay .................................................................................................................................... 2























FOREWORD

This booklet contains reports written by Examiners on the work of candidates in certain papers. Its contents
are primarily for the information of the subject teachers concerned.


8281 Japanese Language November 2005
1
JAPANESE


GCE Advanced Subsidiary Level


Paper 8281/01
Speaking


General comments

The performance of most candidates was of a very high standard.

A tape or CD should begin with the Examiner recording details of the Centre, the number of the examination
syllabus and the component, the name of the Examiner, and the correct details for the candidate, including
name and candidate number this should not be left to the candidate. At the end of the examination, the
cassette or CD should be checked for audibility, and both cassette or CD and box should be labelled with the
details announced at the beginning of the tape it is only too easy for cassettes and boxes to arrive
damaged, with no means of identifying them properly. It is also helpful to Moderators to be able to see which
candidates are recorded on which side of a cassette.

It is helpful to both Moderators and candidates if the Examiner signals the end of the presentation, the
beginning of the topic conversation and the beginning of the general conversation.

When assessing candidates, the mark scheme for the oral examination printed in the syllabus booklet should
be used, with particular note taken of the maximum mark available for each element. Each mark should be
entered in one column of the working mark sheet, so that Moderators are able to identify exactly how marks
have been awarded and may be able to offer precise advice on marking pitch.

The Examiners are to be congratulated on their attempts to ensure that examinations are conducted
extremely well, allowing the candidates to show their ability.


Paper 8281/02
Reading and Writing


General comments

Generally, most of the candidates seemed to understand the questions and answered quite well.


Comments on specific questions

Passage 1

Question 1

Most candidates did very well in this multiple choice section.

Question 2

Most candidates did well, but in (iv) some candidates did not produce the double form expected, a ~tari, ~tari
sentence was expected.

Question 3

Candidates answered these questions well, often providing more information than was needed to achieve full
marks.
8281 Japanese Language November 2005
2
Passage 2

Question 4

As in Question 3, candidates again gave very thorough responses.

Question 5

Candidates are reminded that both parts of the questions need to be answered in order to gain full marks.

Some candidates wrote very little for (a) and concentrated instead on (b) meaning that they lost out on marks
for content.


Paper 8281/03
Essay


General comments

All essay question options were selected by candidates.

Most candidates handwriting was excellent and they used kanji appropriately.

Although most candidates succeeded in showing their knowledge of Japanese language, vocabulary,
grammatically accurate sentences etc., the content of their argument relating to their chosen topic was quite
weak. Candidates should be reminded that in order to score maximum marks for Content, their answers
should be detailed, clearly relevant with coherent arguments and structure.